Events

Xiaowei Weng from Schlumberger will give a talk entitled "Modeling of complex hydraulic fractures in naturally fractured formation" as part of the Claude R. Hocott Graduate Seminar Series.

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing in shale gas reservoirs has often resulted in complex fracture network growth, as evidenced by microseismic monitoring. The nature and degree of fracture complexity are strongly dependent upon the pre-existing natural fractures in the formation and in-situ stress conditions. Simulating complex fractures growth in these formations is very challenging. There are limited few models available to simulate this complex process despite strong industry need for such models to improve the ability to predict and optimize fracture design and completion practices in the unconventional reservoirs. A complex fracture model called Unconventional Fracture Model (UFM) has been developed recently in Schlumberger to simulate complex fracture network propagation in a formation with pre-existing natural fractures. The model solves a system of equations governing fracture deformation, fracture propagation, height growth, fluid flow, and proppant transport in a complex fracture networks. This talk gives an overview of the UFM model and discusses a few important modeling aspects such as hydraulic fracture-natural fracture interaction and stress shadow. A few field examples and examples showing the impact of natural fracture parameters on fracture geometry are presented. The integration of complex fracture model in the production and optimization workflow is discussed and illustrated with examples.